Earth Day Awards nominations due Feb. 28

LOVES PARK, Ill. — Keep Northern Illinois Beautiful (KNIB) is seeking nominations for its annual Earth Day Awards recognizing companies, agencies or individuals who are dedicated to improving the environment of the stateline region. Winners in the two award categories — “Environmental Steward of the Year” and “Hutchcroft Environmental Youth Award” — will be guests and receive their awards at the Seventh Annual Keep Northern Illinois Beautiful Earth Day Awards Luncheon.

The Earth Day Awards Luncheon begins at 11:30 a.m., Thursday, April 3, at Giovanni’s Restaurant and Convention Center, 610 N. Bell School Road, Rockford. Nomination forms are available online at www.knib.org or by e-mailing courtney@knib.org. Nominations are due at the office of KNIB by Feb. 28.

“We’re looking for the unsung environmental heroes of the stateline, be they students, businesses or individuals,” said KNIB Executive Director Lori Gummow. “If you know someone in the area who has built a sustainable home, started a recycling program at their local school, a business that has made their building green and systems less wasteful, or someone or an organization with other environmental credentials, please nominate them.”

The “Environmental Steward of the Year Award” is intended to honor a company, organization or individual who has shown exemplary dedication to improving the environment of northern Illinois and the protection of our valuable resources. The application must illustrate how the nominee has shown substantial support of recycling, reusing and/or renewing resources, beautification, environmental education, conservation or advocacy of the protection of our local environment. Those honored in the past include the City of Rockford; Winnebago County; the Rockford Chamber of Commerce; Jack L. Armstrong; Joe Haverly; Chrysler Belvidere Assembly Plant; JL Clark; Forest City Gear; and Rockford Park District.

The “Hutchcroft Environmental Youth Award” is intended for an individual or group of youths, ages 18 or younger, exhibiting superior commitment to improving the environment through recycling, reusing and/or renewing resources, beautification, environmental education, conservation or advocacy of the protection of our local environment. Previous student honorees include Erik Dingus; Sarah Gessner; East High School Key Club; Roots and Wings Youth Leaders; and The Learning Lab Recycling Group of Harlem Middle School.

To nominate an entity or person for either award, submit the following documents: a completed nomination form; a cover letter explaining in 250 words or fewer why the nominee should receive the award; and any supplementary materials such as photos or testimonials. (These materials will not be returned.) The completed nomination package must reach KNIB at 5417 N. Second St., Loves Park, by 4 p.m., Friday, Feb. 28. Multiple nomination forms will be accepted from the same person or agency.

For more about the Earth Day Awards Luncheon, call or e-mail Courtney Oertel at (815) 637-1343 or Courtney@knib.org, visit KeepNorthernIllinoisBeautiful on Facebook or www.knib.org.